To not go camping?

[BillHadersNewWife]

We live in Australia. Every summer after Christmas, DH and our friends like to go camping. I don't.

I've done it a few times now....camping here is very rough...at least the way they do it is.

They prefer a pretty remote spot...it IS beautiful, breathtakingly so...wild, deserted beaches etc...no shop for miles. You have no mobile signal there.

I hate it. I like the views and the wildlife obviously but not the lack of good coffee, internet and beds.

I'm 47....I have a bad back after every trip. By day two I'm often going a bit mad from the nature-ness of it all.

DD1 hates it also...she's 15...DD2 is 11 and still enjoys it.

DH has said he doesn't mind at all if DD1 and I don't come this year. He's happy for us to stay home and bond....DD2 doesn't care...as long as her best friend goes too which she is, she'll have her Dad....

AIBU though? Is it miserable and wimpy of me?

I'm English and haven't ever got used to the roughness of the camping experience here. No loos...no shops...no PEOPLE!

I suppose I've gone on so many because it IS beautiful and I always think "This will be the year it doesn't hurt!"

But it always does! And to be honest, I find it a tiny bit scary too. The remoteness of it...if someone got ill or injured...there's no bloody phones!

I also hate the flies, the mozzies and too much heat.

Oh I can tell the truth Magic they know I don't enjoy it. DD1 likes having me to herself...DD2 is quite full-on. Very physical....she never walks into a room but more likely to cartwheel in or something.

That's why she likes camping I suppose! Room to be crazy.

It sounds like a really good opportunity for both your kids to have quality time with a parent. Opportunities like this get harder as they get older and busier so I'd do what a pp suggested. Chill and bond.

I wild camped in Australia once. All I remember is looking down at my legs when the sun set (I had leggings on) and seeing that I was absolutely covered in mozzies. There must have been at least 100 of the buggers. I dived so fast into that bloody tent and refused to leave until morning.

YABU to ask about this, just don’t go. No Internet, no hot water, no central heating, no loos and showers ....
How could you agree to something like this?

Stay at home this year but make it very clear that next Christmas you expect DH to participate in a holiday of your choice and not camping. I can’t stand camping so I totally understand. Hot tent, mozzies, dirt, walk to loos in the night, no running water, manly camp showers. I find it disgusting

manly camp showers. I find it disgusting

There's nothing manly or disgusting about my camp showers. Each to their own though.

Is that you PhoneLock ??

Is that you PhoneLock ??

Yes.

Haha I'm a fellow English one in Australia, however I LOVE camping and roughing it. But if you don't then don't go. Just stay home and have a lovely time with eldest DC.
I'm not camping this year tho as I'm 38 weeks pregnant and I'm not prepared to leave my home comforts in this state. Plus it's bloody hot. Whatever you do decide to do, have a lovely time x

Sounds like my worst nightmare.

I don't think that very rural Australia, or anywhere in Australia, is the place to go camping right now with all the fires.

Anxious the place where we go is completely fire free.

My DD goes camping with her partner. She loves it but they have campsites that are organised with electricity etc. It would still not make me want to go.
While I would enjoy the nature and peace of it all nothing would make me want to dig a hole for a poo.
Stay at home and be comfy..

I'm Aussie and hate that style of camping. As young adult I would have lasted a few days but these days this bod (and mind) demand a few creature comforts.

I say stay home (with fly screens toilet shower and air con), relaxing, enjoying fresh coffee, cold wine and take away food. If you want to rough it then don't watch the TV.

No good then, I wouldn't go either, my camping has to be glamping these days.

Should have added that I love bush walking and bush picnics one day at a time only.

MrsCrabby Yes! Love it for a day. Then off to get fish and chips and a drink!

I like camping, but my idea is more glamping. I couldn't do with no showers etc. Always go to a site with facilities. We have comfortable airbeds. Remote camping was hell. Did it once and never again!

I've enjoyed many a camping trip but I wouldn't want to participate in the wild camping you're talking about. Also, I'd be incredibly worried about spiders and stuff in Australia.
I don't think you're being unreasonable at all. Do something nice with the daughter that wants to stay at home. Your other daughter and husband can enjoy their trip knowing that you won't be feeling annoyed that you're doing something you don't want to be.

Phonelock you have an amazing figure!

OP I love camping in the UK but only because we have a massive tent with a carpet inside and an electric hook up so I can have a kettle and a blow fan heater as well as charging my phone. I'd be useless rough camping. Stay at home and start a new tradition involving something you and non camping DC like doing instead.

@anxioussue there’s only parts of Australia that have bad fires .
I love camping here . Not all swimming areas have crocodiles, yes there’s sharks but don’t swim at sunrise or set and don’t dress like a seal!!! Not all jellyfish are deadly
The worst animals we have are magpies and mummy ducks . Both of which are bloody scary, much worse than spiders or snakes!

Op stay at home where you and your dd are happy. Let the other 2 go ( can I go in your place!!?)

Not all swimming areas have crocodiles

Indeed!